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DOHA. — Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke said yesterday that European football clubs would not receive financial compensation for the 2022 World Cup being moved to November-December.

“There will be no compensation. There are seven years to reorganise,” he told a Doha Press conference. “We are in agreement with the clubs.”

European associations, representing major clubs from England, Germany and France, have already expressed their unhappiness with the switch recommended by a Fifa task force meeting in Qatar on Tuesday, amid speculation that some would seek financial redress for the decision.

The task force made a provisional recommendation for the tournament to start on November 26 and end on December 23, 2022, ensuring an enforced break on the domestic European leagues. But Valcke said European clubs should accept the potential switch, even though “it’s not perfect”.

“It is happening once and we are doing nothing that destroys football,” he added.

A final decision will be made by the Fifa executive committee at a meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, on March 19-20.

English Premier League boss Richard Scudamore admitted after Tuesday’s decision that he was “very disappointed” by the switch.

In fact, a Fifa task force’s call on Tuesday for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be shortened and held in November-December met immediate condemnation from Europe’s major football powers.

Football’s ruling body said the tournament had to be moved from the traditional summer months because of the scorching temperatures in Qatar.

The group made a provisional recommendation for the 2022 tournament to start on November 26 and end on December 23 in a move that risks the wrath of European football leagues and international broadcasters.

England’s Premier League chief Scudamore said he was “very disappointed” by the decision. Spanish, German and French officials also expressed opposition.

A final decision will be made by the Fifa executive committee at a meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, on March 19-20. Fierce lobbying is expected up till then.

A November-December tournament was “the most viable period” for the World Cup, according to a Fifa statement released after the task force ended its meeting in Doha. — AFP.